Republican U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa came to Grass Valley City Hall Wednesday morning to talk about his priorities and provide an update from Washington, D.C.

Protesters of LaMalfa, R-Richvale, also attended the meeting. They gathered around the front and back of the building, some holding signs reading “End Gun Violence” amid the recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. Other signs pushed back against LaMalfa’s support of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

Inside City Hall LaMalfa planned to listen to the public, and to talk about less controversial policies, according to his Chief of Staff Mark Spannagel.

“On the hot button issues,” said Spannagel, “there’s always going to be differences.”

Audience member Jay Messina challenged the representative, claiming his office didn’t inform people about the Grass Valley event until 24 hours before it occurred.

“It’s his responsibility to notify me, but he didn’t,” said Messina, arguing that the congressman was “hiding” from his constituents.

The Nevada County Republican Party announced Friday on their Facebook page that LaMalfa was coming to Grass Valley. LaMalfa’s office formally announced the Grass Valley event Monday.

Protest

Standing outside before the meeting began, protester Rob Katzenstein highlighted general concerns he had with the congressman as well as the direction of those holding a majority of political power in the country.

“It’s really a protest against Trump and what happened in El Paso and Dayton, too, because the Republican Party has done nothing to ban assault weapons,” Katzenstein claimed.

Protester Jennifer Long said the congressman doesn’t represent her concerns or the concerns of the county. In the wake of recent mass shootings, she wanted LaMalfa to advocate for gun safety laws.

“We need to get (guns) out of the marketplace,” said Long.

A few chants of “do something” — in hopes of encouraging action on gun control — were shouted at LaMalfa as he walked inside city hall just before the morning meeting.

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